Emergency control apparatus for railway switches



Nov. 18, 1952 EMERGENCY CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES FiledSept. l5, 1948 A J. R. MYERS 2,618,742

3 Sheets-Sheet l HIS TTIZIV'EY' Nov. 18, 1952 J. R. MYI-:Rs 2,618,742

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HIS' TTHUEF Patented Nov. 1'8, 1952 EMERGENCY CONTROL APPARATUS FORRAILWAY SWITCHES .lohn R. Myers, New York, N. Y., assignor toWestinghouse Air Brake Company, a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication September 15, 1948, Serial No. 49,413

9 Claims.

My invention relates to railway switch controlling apparatus, andparticularly to emergency control apparatus for at times effectingoperation of any switch or pair of crossover switches selected from agiven plurality of switches.

In power operated switch controlling apparatus such, for example, asthat which may be embodied in interlocking control systems, the controlcircuits, which regularly eifect operation of a switch between itsnormal and reverse positions, are commonly controlled in part by a relaywhich is known as a switch locking relay. The switch locking relay is inturn controlled in part by one or more traiiic responsive relays so asto be normally energized, but to become deenergized in response to thepresence of a train. In an emergency, it is sometimes desirable toeffect operation of a track switch even though its switch locking relayis deenergized.

One feature of my invention is the provision of novel and improved groupreleasing means for effecting operation, in such an emergency, of anysingle switch or any pair of crossover switches selected from a givenplurality of switches.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of means to prevent thereleasing of any other single switch or any other pair of crossoverswitches at the same time that a selected single switch or a selectedpair of crossover switches is released.

Still another feature of my invention is the provision of indicationmeans for giving information to the leverman or the dispatcherconcerning the condition of the emergency release apparatus and as towhether or not the emergency release procedure has been correctlyinitiated and may be completed.

I shall describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and shallthen point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawings, Figs. la, 1b and 1c, when placed side byside, in the order named, with Fig. 1a on the left, constitute adiagrammatic view showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention,in which push-pull emergency release circuit controllers are used, forcontrolling a plurality of emergency release stick relays and a singletime element device for controlling emergency control relays forarranging emergency control circuits for effecting operation of anyselected single switch or pair of crossover switches in a plurality ofrailway track switches.

Referring to the drawings, a track plan is shown in Figs. 1b and 1c, inwhich two parallel tracks are interconnected by a crossover track,through switches designated by the reference characters AI and BI, andby a second crossover track, through switches designated by thereference characters A3 and B3. A single switch II is also shown, bywhich one of these two tracks is connected with an auxiliary track. Inorder to simplify the drawings, each track, comprising two parallelseries of track rails, is represented by a single line.

Each of the tracks is divided into sections by insulated jointsdesignated by the reference character 5. The section of track in whichswitches AI and B3 are located is designated by the reference characterAI T, the section in which switches BI and A3 are located is designatedby the reference character BIT, and the section in which switch I I islocated is designated by the reference character IIT. Each of thesections AIT, BIT, and I IT is provided with a track circuit including asuitable source of current, such as a battery 'I, connected across therails adjacent one end of the section, and a track relay designated bythe reference character AIR, BIR, or IIR, respectively, connected acrossthe rails adjacent the opposite end of the section.

Traffic movements in opposite directions over sections AIT and BIT aregoverned by signals designated by the reference characters 2, 4, 6, and8. Traffic movements in opposite directions over section IIT aregoverned by signals designated by the reference characters III, I2, andIII. The signals may be of any suitable design such, for example, as thesearchlight type.

The contacts of the track relays are shown apart from the symbols forthe relays by which they are operated. It is believed to be obvious thatthe contacts of each of the track relays are in the picked-up positionwhen the associated track section is clear, and are in the deenergizedposition when the associated track section is occupied by a train.

Switches AI and BI are operated to their normal position, in which theyare shown in the drawings, or to the opposite or reverse position, bymechanisms designated by the reference characters AIM and BIM,respectively. Mechanisms AIM and BIM are in turn controlled by apolarized switch control relay IW. Switches A3, B3, and II are similarlyoperated by mechanisms designated by the reference characters ASM, BSM,and IIM, respectively, which are in turn controlled similarly bypolarized switch Icontrol relays 3W land I IW, respectively.

Relay IW is regularly energized in the normal or in the reversedirection by circuits controlled by a switch locking relay ILS in theenergized condition, and by a polarized lever repeater relay IVP, aswell as by other means by which relay I VP is also controlled, as willbe referred to later. Relays 3W and IIW are also regularly energized inthe normal or in the reverse direction by circuits controlled by switchlocking relays 3LS and I ILS, respectively, in the energized condition,and by a polarized lever repeater relay 3VP or IIVP, respectively.

Relay ILS has a pickup and a stick circuit controlled by the trafficresponsive track relays AIR and BIR, and by time locking stick relaysassociated with signals 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively. The pickup circuitfor relay ILS is also controlled by a normally closed contact 2I of amanually operable switch control device IV, shown as a lever. Relay SLShas a pickup and a stick circuit which are the same as the pickup andstick circuits for relay ILS except that the pickup circuit includescontact 2I of a second manually operable switch control device, shown asa lever 3V, instead of by lever IV, and the stick circuit for relay SLSincludes contact 22 of relay 3LS instead of contact 22 'of relay ILS.Relay IILS has a pickup and a stick circuit controlled by the traicresponsive track relay I IR and by time locking stick relays associatedwith signals I0, I2, and I4, respectively. The pickup circuit for relayIILS is also controlled by a normally closed contact ZI of a thirdmanually operable switch control lever IIV.

The time locking stick relays associated with signals 2, 4, 6, Il, I0,I2 and I4 may be controlled, in accordance with conventional signalpractice, similarly, for example, to the time locking stick relay QS2shown in the left-hand end of Fig. 1 of Letters Patent of the UnitedStates No. 2,211,523 granted August 13, 1940, to Lester E. Spray forMultiple Control Apparatus. As shown in that patent, each such timelocking stick relay is controlled through the medium of a contact,designated by the reference character 36, operated in conjunction withthe associated signal so that the Contact is closed only when the signalis indicating stop, and through a track relay such as relay T5, and alsothrough a time element device such as device NS2. It is to be understoodthat the pickup circuits for the time locking stick relays associatedwith signals 2 and 6 will include contacts of relay AIR,. the pickupcircuits for the time locking stick relays associated with signals 4 and8 will include contacts of relay BI R, and the pickup circuits for thetime locking stick relays associated with signals Ill, I2 and I4 willinclude contacts of relay IIR.

The conventional circuits for each of the time locking stick relays havebeen omitted in order to simplify the drawings. Contacts in Fig. 1adesignated by the reference characters I5 and 55 are accompanied by alegend Controlled by time locking stick relays associated with signals2, 4, G and 8, meaning that. each of these contacts is closed only whenthe time locking stick relays associated with signals 2, 4, 6 and 8 areall energized, and each of these contacts is open whenever any one ofthese time locking stick relays is deenergized. Similarly, contacts inFig. 1c designated by the reference characters I5 and 55 are accompaniedby a legend Controlled by time locking stick relays associated withsignals IIJ, I2 and I4, meaning that each of these contacts is closedonly when the time. locking stick relays associated with signals I0..I2. and' I4 are all energized, and each of these contacts is openwhenever any one of the time locking stick relays 4 associated withsignals I5, I2 and I4 is deenergized.

Relay IVP is regularly controlled by relay ILS and by lever IV, and mayalso be controlled by route control means shown conventionally as amanually operable lever RIV having a center position c, and normal andreverse control positions n and r, respectively. Such route controlmeans may, however, comprise route selector and exit stick relays suchas those by which relay lVVR is shown controlled in Fig. 1C of LettersPatent of the United States No. 2,301,297, granted November 10, 1942, toLloyd V. Lewis for Railway Traihc Controlling Apparatus. Relay 1W inFig. la of applicants drawings also may be controlled by the routecontrol means shown for relay IVP. Relay 3VP is regularly controlled,similarly to relay IVP, by circuits which include contacts of relay 3LSand lever 3V. Relay I IVP is also regularly controlled, similarly torelay IVP, by circuits including contacts of relay IILS and lever II V.

The route control means by which relays SVP and 3W are controlled issimilarly shown conventionally as a manually operable lever R3V, andthat by which relays I IVP and I IW are controlled is also shownconventionally as a manually operable lever RI IV.

In apparatus embodying my invention, relays IVP and IW are alsocontrolled, at times, by an emergency release stick relay IER. RelaysSVP and 3W are also similarly controlled, at times, by an emergencyrelease stick relay 3ER, and relays I IVP and IIW are controlled, attimes, by an emergency release stick relay I IER.

Lever IV has a center position c, which it ncrmally occupies, and hasnormal and reverse control positions n and r, respectively, to which itmay be moved to eiect operations of switches AI and BI to normal andreverse positions, respectively. Lever IV has a latch contact I5 whichis normally closed, but which opens during movement of lever IV to its nor its r position, and which then again closes when lever IV reaches then or the r position. Each of the levers 3V and IIV has positions whichare similar to those just described for lever IV, and each of the levers'5V and I IV has a latch contact 45 which is similar to latch contact 45of lever IV.

Emergency release stick relay IER has a pickup circuit controlled by amanually operable emergency control device or release circuitcontroller, here shown as a push button IPB, as Well as by time lockingstick relays, and by back contacts of relay ILS, a time element deviceshown as a, relay U, and a master release relay designated by thereference character ERP. Relay IER has also a stick circuit controlledby contact 45 of lever IV, by relay IVP, by normal and reverse switchindication relays INC and IRC, respectively, as well as by a backcontact of relay ILS and by time locking stick relays. Relays 3ER andIIER are controlled similarly to relay IER as just described. A resistort is connected in multiple with the winding of each of the relays IER,3ER, and IIER in order to make these relays slightly slow releasing. Anasymmetric unit y, which may be of the well-known halfwave copper oxiderectifier type, is included in 4the pickup circuit for each of therelays IER, 3ER, and IIER in order to protect these relays againstoperation by stray current.

Each of the push button circuit controllers IPB, 3PB, and I IPB is ofthe push-pull type such, for example, as shown in Letters Patent of theA master release relay, designated b-y the reference character ERP, hasthree control circuits, each or which is controlled by a front contactof one oi the relays IER, 3ER, and I IER, and by back contacts of theother two of these relays.

An indication device, shown as a lamp, designated by the referencecharacter ERK, is controlled by a front contact of relay ERP A timeelement device, shown as a relay U, is controlled in part by a frontcontact of relay ERP, and has three branch control paths, one of whichincludes contact 45 of lever IV, contact 5l of push button IPB, and afront contact o relay IER. A second branch control path for relay Usimilarly includes contacts of lever 3V, push button 3PB, and relay 3ER,and a third branch control path also similarly includes contacts oflever I IV, push button I IPB, and relay I IER.

An emergency control relay I-BUP is controlled by circuits which includea front contact of time element device U, and a front contact of eitherof relays IER and 3ER, as well as the contacts in the circuits for timeelement device U. An emergency control relay I IUP is controlled by acircuit which includes the front contact of relay U, and a iront contactof relay I IER, as well as the contacts in the circuits for time elementdevice U.

A polarized switch indication relay IP is controlled similarly to relayh3 as shown in Fig. 1 of Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,211,-522, granted August 13, 1940, to Lester E. Spray for Multiple ControlApparatus so as to be energized by current of normal polarity whenswitches AI and BI are in their normal positions, and to be energized bycurrent of reverse polarity when switches AI and BI are in their reversepositions. Normal and reverse switch indication relays INC and IRC,respectively, are controlled by relays IP and IW. A second polarizedswitch indication relay 3P is controlled, similarly to relay IP, inconjunction with switches A3 and B3, and normal and reverse switchindication relays SNC and 3RC are controlled similarly to relays INC andIRC, by relays 3P and 3W A third polarized switch indication relay I IPis controlled similarly to relay he as shown in Fig. 1 of the SprayPatent No. 2,211,522, and normal and reverse switch indication relays IINC and I IRC are controlled similarly to relays INC and IRC,respectively, by relays IIP and IIW.

Having described, in general, the arrangemen-t and control of theapparatus shown by the accompanying drawings, shall now describe, indetail, its operation.

As shown by the drawings, all parts are in their normal condition, thatis, all switches are in their normal positions; all signals areindicating stop; track sections AIT, BIT, and IIT are unoccupied, andtherefore track relays AIR, BIR, and I IR are energized; each of thelevers IV, 3V, IIV, RIV, RSV, and RI IV is in its center position c;each of the circuit controllers IPB, 3PB, `and I IPB is in its biasedmid-stroke position; relays INC, 3NC, IINC, ILS, 3LS, IILS, and the timelocking stick relays associated with signals 2, Il, 5, 8, I5, I2 and I4are energized; each of the relays IP, 3P, and IIP is energized by cur=rent of normal polarity; and time element device U, indication lamp ERK,and relays IVP, 3VP, IIVP, IW, 3W, IIW, IRC, 3RC, IIRC, IER, 3ER, IIER,ERP, I-3UP, and IIUP are deenergized.

The pickup and stick circuits for switch locking relay ILS are bothclosed. The pickup circuit passes from terminal B of a suitable sourceof current, such for example as a battery Q shown in Fig. la of thedrawings, through contact I5 controlled by the time locking stick relaysassociated with signals 2, 4,5 and 8, contacts I9 and 20 of relays BIRand AIR, respectively, winding of relay ILS, and contact 2| of lever IVto terminal N of the same source of current. The stick circuit for relayILS is the same as its pickup circuit just traced through the winding ofrelay ILS, and then passes through the front point of contact 2'2 ofrelay ILS to terminal N. Pickup and stick circuits are also closed forrelays 3LS and I ILS which are similar to the pickup and stick circuitsjust traced for relay ILS,

The circuit by which relay INC is energized passes from terminal B,through contact 23 of relay IP, contact 24 of relay IP closed in thenormal or left-hand position as shown in the drawing, winding of relayINC, and contact 25 of relay IW closed in the normal position, toterminal N. Relays SNC and IINC are energized by similar circuits, shownin the drawings.

I shall rst assume that a leverman or a dispatcher arranges for a trainto pass signal 2, over switches AI and BI reversed, by moving routecontrol lever RIV to its 1' position. Relay IVP, therefore, becomesenergized by its reverse control circuit passing from terminal B,through contact 26 of relay ILS, right-hand portion of the winding ofrelay IVP, contact 28 of lever RIV in the r position, and contact 30 ofrelay IER to terminal N. Relay IW then becomes energized by its reversecontrol circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 3I of relay IVPin its reverse position, front point of contact 32 of relay ILS, Windingof relay IW, front point of contact 33 of relay ILS, contact 34 of relayIVP in its reverse or right-hand position, contact 28 of lever RIV inthe 1` position, and contact 30 of relay IER to terminal N.

With relay IW thus energized in the reverse direction, relay INC will`be deenergized by the opening of 4contact 25 of relay IW in its normalposition, and mechanisms AIM and BIM will be energized, for movingswitches AI and BI to their reverse positions, by circuits passing fromterminal B, through contact 35 of relay IW, contact 36 of relay IWclosed in the reverse or righthand position, and mechanisms AIM and BIM,to terminal N.

Upon the -completion of the operation of switches Al and BI to thereverse position, relay IP will become energized in the reversedirection. Relay IRC will then become energized by its circuit passingfrom terminal B, through contact 23 of relay IP, contact 24 of relay IPclosed in the right-hand position, winding of relay IRC, and contact 25of relay IW in its right-hand position, to terminal N.

Signal y2 will then be operated to the proceed position, causing theassociated time locking ystick relay to become deenergized. Relay ILSwill therefore become -deenergized due to the opening of contact I5which is controlled by the time locking stick relay associated withsignal 2.

With relay ILS deenergized, and relay IP energized in the reversedirection, a reverse stick circuit for relay IW will become closed,passing from terminal B, through contact 3'I of relay IW and contact 38of relay IP, both closed in the right-hand or reverse position, backypoints of contacts 3-9 and 32 of relays IER and ILS, respectively,winding of relay IW, back points of contacts 33 and 4i) of relays ILSand IER, respectively, and contact 4I of relay IP closed in the reverseposition, to terminal N.

I shall assume further that the leverman also arranges for the train topass signal I0, over switch II reversed, by moving route control leverRIIV to its r position. Relays IIVP and IIW, switch II, relays IIP andIIRC and signal I will then become operated in the order named,similarly to the corresponding .parts of the apparatus as previouslydescribed when the leverman arranges for a train to pass signal 2 overswitches AI and BI reversed.

I shall now assume that all parts of the apparatus are again returned tothe normal condition, and that relay AIR becomes deenergized due to afailure in the track circuit for section AIT, such, for example, as due-to a .broken coni nection between the track battery I and the rails ofthe section. Contact of relay AIR will therefore be opened, causingrelay ILS to be deenergized.

I shall assume further that the leverman attempts to arrange for a trainto move past signal 2 over switches AI and BI reversed, as before, bymoving route control lever RIV to its r position. With relay ILSdeenergized, the circuit previously traced for relay IVP is open atcontact 26 of relay ILS, and hence relay IVP ycannot become energized byits regular reverse control circuit previously traced.

The leverman will therefore move lever IV to its r position, and willpush circuit controller IPB in to close its contact 44. Relay IER willtherefore become energized by its pickup circuit passing from terminalB, through contacts 42 and 43 of relays U and ERP, respectively, contact44 of push button IPB, asymmetric unit y, winding of relay IER inmultiple with resistor t, contacts 53 and 5I of relays ILS and SNC,respectively, and contact 55 which is controlled by the time lockingstick relay associated with signal 2, to terminal N. Relay IER, uponbecoming energized, opens its back contact 30 in the regular controlcircuits previously traced for relays IVP and IW, thereby preventingenergization of these relays by their regular control circuits while theswitches are under emergency control.

With relay IER energized, and with lever IV in its r position, relay IVPwill become energized by its emergency reverse control circuit passingfrom terminal B, through contact 2I of relay IER, right-hand portion ofthe winding of relay IVP, and contact 2I of lever IV closed in the rposition, to terminal N. Circuit controller IPB may now be released topermit it to return to its mid-stroke position, because a stick circuitfor relay IER will be closed, passing from terminal B, through contact45 of lever IV, contact 46 of relay IVP closed in the right-handposition, contact 4I of relay IRC, contact `49 of relay IER, winding ofrelay IER in multiple with resistor t, contacts 5I] and 5I of relays ILSand SNC, respectively, and contact 55 which is controlled by the timelocking stick relay associated with signal 2, to terminal N.

With relay IER energized, relay ERP will be energized by a circuitpassing from terminal B,

through the front point of contact of relay IER, contacts G5 and 68 ofrelays 3ER and IIER, respectively, and the winding of relay ERP toterminal N. If the leverman should attempt to release switches A3 and B3or switch II while he is releasing switches AI and BI by pushing circuitcontroller 3PB or IIPB in at the same time as controller IPB, theenergization of relay 3ER or IIER at the same time as relay IER wouldprevent energization of relay ERP because each of the control circuitsfor relay ERP includes back contacts of two of these relays. After relayERP becomes energized in response to energization of one of the relaysIER, 3ER and I IER, contact 43 of relay ERP in the pickup circuits forthese relays prevents energization of either of the other two of theserelays.

With relay ERP energized, indication lamp ERK will be lighted by acircuit passing from terminal BX of a suitable source of lightingcurrent, through contact 'I0 of relay ERP, and the iilament of lamp ERKto terminal NX of the same source of lighting current. rIf lamp ERKremains constantly lighted, the leverman will know that the emergencyrelease procedure has been correctly initiated, and that the apparatusis in condition for the emergency release procedure to be completed foreffecting operations of'switches AI and BI to their reverse positions.

With lamp ERK constantly lighted, the leverman will then pull circuitcontroller IPB out to close its contact 5l and thereby complete anenergizing circuit for time element relay U, passing from terminal B,through contact 45 of lever IV, contact 46 of relay IVP closed in therighthand position, contact 4'! of relay IRC, contact 56 of rela-y IER,Contact 5l of push button IPB, contact 58 of relay ERP, and the windingof relay U to terminal N. Upon the lapse of a measured period of time,time element relay U closes its contact 59, thereby completing a circuitfor energizing relay I-3UP, which is the same as the circuit previouslytraced Ior relay U as far as contact 58 of relay ERP, and thence passingthrough contact 59 of relay U, contact 6B of relay IER, and the windingof relay I-3U`P to terminal N. It is necessary for the leverman to holdcontroller IPB in the pulled-out position until time element relay U hashad time to close its contact 59 for energizing relay I-3UP andeffecting operation of the contacts of relay IW to their reverse p0-sitions.

With relay IVP energized by current of reverse polarity, and with relayI-3UP energized, the reverse control circuit for relay IW will be closedpassing from terminal B, through Contact 3I of relay I VP closed in thereverse or right-hand position, contact 63 of relay I-3UP, front pointof contact 39 of relay IER, back point of 4contact 32 of relay ILS,winding of relay IW, back point of contact 33 of relay ILS, front pointof contact 40 of relay IER, contact 64 of relay I-3UP, contact 34 ofrelay IVP in the reverse or right-hand position, and contact -2I oflever IV closed in its r position, to terminal N.

With relay IW thus energized by current of reverse polarity, mechanismsAIM and BIM will become energized for operating switches AI and BI totheir reverse positions, as previously described. Relay IP will thenbecome energized in the reverse direction, and relay IRC will becomeenergized as previously described. Relay iRC, upon becoming energized,opens its back contact 4l, thereby breaking the stick circuit previouslytraced for relay IER and causing relay IER to become deenergized.

I shall next assume that relay I IR becomes deenergized due to a failurein the track circuit for section I IT. Contact 20 of relay IIR willtherefore be opened, causing relay I ILS to be deenerized.

g I shall assume further that the leverman attempts to arrange for atrain to move past signal IIi, over switch II reversed, by moving routecontrol lever RI IV to its 1' position. With relay IILS deenergized, thecircuit for relay IIVP which includes contact 26 of relay IILS Will beopen, and hence relay IIVP cannot become energized by its regularreverse control circuit.

The leverman will therefore move lever IIV to its r position and willpush circuit controller IIPB in to close its contact fill. Relay IIERwill therefore become energized by its pickup circu1t passing fromterminal B, through contacts t2 and 43 of relays U and ERP,respectively, c ontact all of push button IIPB, asymmetric umt y,winding of relay IIER in multiple with a resistor t, Contact t of relayIILS, and contact 5:5 which is controlled by the time locking stickrelay associated with signal It, to terminal .N. Relay IIER, uponbecoming energized, opens its back contact 3@ in the regular controlcircuits for relays IIVP and IIW, thereby preventing energization ofthese relays by their regular control circuits while the switch is underemergency control.

With relay I IER energized, and with lever IIV in its r position, relayIIVP will become` energized by its emergency reverse control circuitpassing from terminal B, through contact 2l of relay IIER, right-handportion of the winding of relay IIVP, and contact 2l of lever IIITclosed in its 1 position, to terminal N. Circuit controller IIPB may nowbe released to permit its return to its mid-stroke position because astick circuit for relay I IER will be closed, passing` from terminal B,through contact t5 of lever I IV, contact I of relay IIVP closed in thereverse or right-hand position, as shown in the drawing, contact lil ofrelay IIRC, contact Il!) of relay I IER, winding or" relay I IER inmultiple with a resistor t, contact 5e of relay IILS, and contact 55which is controlled by the time locking stick relay associated withsignal IB, to terminal N.

With relay IIER energized, relay ERP will be energized by a secondcircuit, passing from ter- .inal B, through the back point of contact 65of relay IER, back point of contact @l of relay 3ER, contact te oi relayHER, and the winding of relay ERP to terminal N.

The leverman will then pull circuit controller IIPB out to close itscontact 5l, and thereby complete an energizing circuit Jfor time elementdevice or relay U, passing from terminal B, through contact t5 oi leverIIV, contact 46 ol. relay IIVP closed in its reverse position, contactIl of relay IIRC, contact 555 oi relay IIER, contact 5l of push buttonIIPB, contact 58 of relay ERP, and the winding of time element device Uto terminal N. It will be necessary for the leverman to hold controllerIIPB in this position until time element relay U has had time to closeits contact et and effect energization. of relay I IW by completing acircuit for energizing relay IIUP which is the same as the circuit Justtraced for time element relay U as far as contact E56 of relay ERP, andthen including contact 59 of relay U, contact S2 of relay IIER, and

the winding of relay IIUP to terminal N. With relay IIUP energized, areverse emergency control circuit Will be completed for relay IIW,passing from terminal B, through contact 3| of relay II VP in itsreverse position, contact 63 of relay IIUP, front point of contact 39 ofrelay IIER, back point of contact 32 of relay IILS, winding of relay IIW, back point of contact 33 of relay IILS, front point of contact 4E)of relay I IER, contact 64 of relay IIUP, contact 34 of relay IIVPclosed in the reverse position, and contact ZI of lever IIV closed inits r position, to terminal N.

With relay IIW thus energized by current of reverse polarity, mechanismIIM will be energized for operating switch II to its reverse position.Relay IIP will then become energized in the reverse direction, and relayIIRC Will become energized as previously described. Relay IIRC, uponbecoming energized, opens its back contact 41, thereby breaking thestick circuit previously traced for relay I IER, and causing relay IIERto become deenergized.

With relay IIER deenergized, relay ERP will be deenergized, causing lampERK to be extinguished. Relays U and I IUP will also be deenergized.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatusembodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In railway switch controlling apparatus for a plurality of railwaytrack switches including regular control means for each of said switchesfor effecting operations of the corresponding switch to normal andreverse positions only if a corresponding switch locking relaycontrolled by traffic responsive means is energized, including aplurality of manually controllable railway switch control devices onefor each of said switches each having normal and reverse controlpositions for controlling operations of its switch to normal and reversepositions respectively, the combination comprising, a plurality ofemergency release stick relays one for each of said switches, a timeelement device, a master release relay, a manually controllable pickupcircuit for each of said release stick relays for energizing its releasestick relay if the corresponding switch locking relay and said timeelement device and said master release relay are all deenergized, astick circuit for each of said release stick relays for retaining itsrelease stick relay energized as long as the corresponding switchlocking relay is deenergized and the corresponding switch control deviceremains in one of its control positions, a plurality of energizingcircuits for said master release relay one for each of said releasestick relays each controlled by a front contact of its release stickrelay and by a back Contact of each of the other release stick relays,means controlled by said master release relay for energizing said timeelement device, and emergency control means controlled by said timeelement device and by each of said release stick relays for effectingoperations of each associated switch while the associated switch lockingrelay is deenergized.

2. In railway switch controlling apparatus including regular controlmeans for each of a aclaran plurality of switches for effectingoperations of the corresponding switches to normal and reversepositions, the combination comprising, an emergency release stick relayfor each of said switches, an emergency control device for each of lsaidswitches each biased to a nor'xnal position but manually operable to aiirst and a second control position, a pickup and a stick circuit foreach of said release stick relays for energizing the correspondingrelease Stick relay under a vgiven trailic condition which prevents theassociated regular control means from effecting operations of theassociated switch and each of said pickup circuits also controlled bythe corresponding emergency control device in its first controlposition, a time element device controlled by a plurality of circuitsone for each of vsaid switches each controlled by the correspondingemergency control device in its second control position, and emergencycontrol means for each of said switches controlled by 'a front contactof the said release stick relay 'for the corresponding switch and bysaid time el'ement device for ie'cting operations of the saidcorresponding switch.

3. lIn railway switch controlling 'apparatus including regular controlmeans for each of a plurality of switches forv effecting operations ofthe corresponding switches to normal and reverse positions, thecombination comprising, an

emergency release stick relay for each of said switches, an emergencycontrol device for each of `said switches each biased to a normalposition but manually operable to a first and a seco'nd controlposition, a master release relay, a pickup and a stick circuit for eachof said release stick relays for energizing the corresponding releasestick relay under a given trailic condition which prevents theassociated regular control means from effecting operations of theassociated switch and each of said pickup circuits also `controlled bythe corresponding einergency control device in its rst 'control positionand by a back contact of said master release relay, a plurality ofenergizing circuits for said master release relay one for each of saidrelease stick relays each controlled by a front contact of its releasestick relay and by a back contact of eachof the other release stickrelays, and emergency control means for each of said switches controlledby the corresponding emergency control device Vin its second controlpositi'o'n and by the lcorresponding release stick relay and falso bysaid master release relay.

'4. '-In railway switch controlling apparatus including regular controlmeans for each `of a plurality o'f -evvitches lor eiecting operations ofthe corresponding switches to normal and reverse positions, thecombination comprising, an emergency release vstick relay -for each ofs'a'id switches, 'an emergency control ldev-ice for each o'f {Saidfsvvit'ches each manually operable to a vfirst and Ya second controlposition, a master -iele'ase relay, l-rnealns controlled by each of saidemergency control 'deylces lin its said frs't control position whilesaid master release relay i's "deene'rg'ized 'for effecting energizationof the corresponding release stick relay under a given 'traino"condition which prevents the associated regular 'control means fromeffecting operations of the associated switch, stick circuit means forVvthen retaining Ythe corresponding release stick rel-ay energized undersaid given traine condition, means controlled by each of said releasestick Telays in its energizedjcondition While each l2 of the otherrelease stick relays is deenergized for energizing said master releaserelay, and emergency 'control means for each of said switches controlledby the corresponding emergency control device in its second controlposition and by said master release rel-ay.

5. In railway switch controlling apparatus including regular controlmeans for each of a plurality of switches for effecting operations ofthe corresponding switches to normaland reverse positions, thecombinations comprising, an emergency release stick relay for each ofsaid switches, an emergency control device for each of said switcheseach manually operable to a first and a second control position, vmeansincluding each of said emergency control devices in its said -rstcontrol position for effecting energlz'ation of the corresponding saidrelease stick relay under a given traffic condition which prevents theassociated regular control means from eiecting operations of theassociated switch, stick circuit means for then retaining thecorresponding release stick relay energized under vsaid given tra-niccondition, and emergency control means for each of said switchescontrolled by the corresponding emergency control device in its saidsecond control position and by the corresponding release stick relay inits energized condition while each of the other release stick relays isin its deenergized condition.

6. In railway switch controlling apparatus including regular controlmeans for each of a plurality "of switches 'for effecting operations ofthe corresponding switches to normal and reverse positions, thecombination comprising, an emergency release stick relay for each ofsaid switches, an emergency control device for each of said switcheseach manually operable to a first and a second control position, meansincluding each of said emergency control devices in its said rst controlposition for effecting energization of the corresponding said releasestick relay `under a given traffic condition which preventsv theassociated regular control means from effecting operations of theassociated switch, stick circuit means for lthen retaining thecorresponding release stick relay energized under said given trafliccondition, an indication device, means controlled by each of saidrelease stick relays in its energized condition while each of the otherrelease Stick relays is deenergized for Avenergizing said indicationdevice, and emergenc'yrcontrol -ineans for each of said switchescontrolled by the corresponding emergency control device in its saidsecond control position and by a front contact of the correspondingrelease stick relay.

7. `In railway switch controlling apparatus including regular control4means for each of a plurality of switches -for eifecting operations ofthe corresponding switches to normal 4and -reverse positions, 'thecombination comprising, an emergency release stick relay for each ofsaid switches, an emergency control device for each of said switchesVeach manually operable to a r'st and a second control position, a time'eleme'nt device, means including a back contact of said time elementdevice and including each of said emergency control devices in its saidrst control vposition for effecting energization of the correspondingrelease stick relay under a given traflic condition which prevents theassociated regular control means from eiecting operations o'f'theassociated switch, stick circuit means for then retaining thecorresponding release stick relay energized under said given trafficcondition, means controlled by each of said emergency control devices inits said second control position and by the associated release stickrelay in its energized condition while the other release stick relaysare deenergized for energizing said time element device, and emergencycontrol means for each of said switches controlled by the associatedrelease stick relay and by a front contact of said time element device.

8. In railway switch controlling apparatus for a plurality of railwaytrack switches including regular control means for each of said switchesfor effecting operations of the corresponding switch to normal andreverse positions only if a corresponding switch locking relaycontrolled by trafc responsive means is energized, the combinationcomprising, a manually controllable release relay for each crossoverpair of said switches and for each other switch, and emergency controlmeans for each of said crossover pairs of switches and for each otherswitch controlled by a front contact of the associated release relay andby back contacts of all the other release relays for effectingoperations of each corresponding switch to normal and reverse positionsif the corresponding switch locking relay is deenergized.

9. In railway switch controlling apparatus for a plurality of railwaytrack switches including regular control means for each crossover pairof said switches and for each other switch for effecting operations ofeach corresponding switch to normal and reverse positions only if acorresponding switch locking relay controlled by tranic conditions isenergized, the combination comprising, a manually controllable releaserelay for each crossover pair of said switches and also for each otherswitch, an indication device, means controlled by a front contact ofeach of said release relays while all the other said release relays aredeenergized for energizing said indication device, and emergency controlmeans for each of said crossover pairs of switches and for each otherswitch controlled by a front contact of the associated release relay andby back contacts of all the other release relays for effectingoperations of each corresponding switch to normal and reverse positionsif the corresponding switch locking relay is deenergized.

J OHN R. MYERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Australia Mar. 19, 1942

